Would you or wouldn't you?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

This may seem like a petty issue, but....

My neighbor just called while I was napping.. so I will be calling her back. Her grandma is in from another state and needs her B-12 shot. They want to know if I will come over and give it.

I do not feel comfortable doing invasive proceedures out side of my work facility, nor without a physcians' order. For one thing, if something goes wrong (the minute chance of an abcess, etc...) I could be held responsible.

I am not comfortable with this, but my husband thinks I am over concerned. "It's just a B-12 shot, afterall!"

I can't believe that after 24 years of nursing, this is the first time I have had to deal with being asked to give a shot outside of my work facility!

What would you do?

White Shoes

Specializes in Med/Surg/PACU/Emerg/ICU.

You were right not to have given the shot to grandma. I am certain that someone was taught to give the shot before grandma was sent home on this injection. ta taa. Continue being safe.:monkeydance:

0 Votes

Just say no!

0 Votes
Specializes in ICU, Pediatric, Psychiatric, Med/Surg.

I agree with Maolin, I would give it, but if you feel uncomfortable, it is a personal choice, of course.

I was taught in school that if you recieve compensation then its a job, if not then you are considered a volunteer.

This is along the same line as a good samaritan.

I always make sure that the person has a valid prescription, and instruct them to make sure they have a sharps container for future uses also.

Just don't accept anything for it, and make sure another family member witnesses you saying "NO thankyou" to any offer of a tip.

0 Votes
I agree with Maolin, I would give it, but if you feel uncomfortable, it is a personal choice, of course.

I was taught in school that if you recieve compensation then its a job, if not then you are considered a volunteer.

This is along the same line as a good samaritan.

I always make sure that the person has a valid prescription, and instruct them to make sure they have a sharps container for future uses also.

Just don't accept anything for it, and make sure another family member witnesses you saying "NO thankyou" to any offer of a tip.

I don't think it is the same as a good samaritan. Good samaritan laws really only cover rendering aid in emergencies or first-aid situations. A B-12 shot is neither. Besides, I'm not fully sure that health care professionals are covered by good samaritan laws to the extent that the lay public is covered - at least not in every state as they vary from state to state.

I believe that the OP did the right thing by refusing to give the shot and giving liability as the reason. The neighbor, IMO, was out of line by asking.

0 Votes

for myself i wont give it because i m not liscened to & if i will give it once i will have to give agian so i wont put my liscence @ risk to be taken from me because of being good with my nieghbor

0 Votes
I wouldn't do it, for liability reasons.

Actually, I think they have a lot of nerve expecting you to, obviously they didn't ask you about it in advance.

What would they do about it if they didn't have a nurse as a neighbor? That's what they need to do.

They can give her the shot. Tell them to give her the shot.

0 Votes

I would only do it for an immediate family member and one that I trusted at that!

0 Votes

No I would definitely not.

I was working in an ICU not so long ago where we treated a critically ill thirty something person with necrotising fasciitis after a friend administered IM B-12. I know that the risk of acquiring necrotising fasciitis or similar doesn't change with the drug administered, but you jogged my memory with this post because I remember thinking at the time how such a horrible thing could have happened from such an innocent little jab. This person lost their arm and a good chunk of tissue elsewhere and very nearly didn't make it. It was only their age and lack of co-morbidities that saved them - I doubt Grandma would have pulled through. The thing is that the person who administered the shot did everything right (cleaning the site, etc), but despite it all they still introduced the pathogen. You couldn't guarantee a similar thing wouldn't happen to you. I think its not worth the risk. Theres always a tactful way of getting out of something...

0 Votes
Specializes in Geriatrics.

If it is something you are not comfortable with I wouldn't do it. I personally would not do it either.

0 Votes
This may seem like a petty issue, but....

My neighbor just called while I was napping.. so I will be calling her back. Her grandma is in from another state and needs her B-12 shot. They want to know if I will come over and give it.

I do not feel comfortable doing invasive proceedures out side of my work facility, nor without a physcians' order. For one thing, if something goes wrong (the minute chance of an abcess, etc...) I could be held responsible.

I am not comfortable with this, but my husband thinks I am over concerned. "It's just a B-12 shot, afterall!"

I can't believe that after 24 years of nursing, this is the first time I have had to deal with being asked to give a shot outside of my work facility!

What would you do?

White Shoes

all nurses shoudl caryr which would protect you in that case - it is relatively cheap for a good policy and i strongly recommend it wheter you are working out of your home or in a facility - i have done things for folks i know - but i must know them well for me to do it. i have done emergency care ( with accidents ) which the insurance covers you in your good faith care - i als even when i know them -0 check the order ( th ebottle or med case updated date and what is in it - i explain side eeffects as well as benefits - and and again only for those i know well. hugs

0 Votes

I assume she's been getting it for a fair amount of time? And none of them knows how to give it???

I think the MD's office needs to teach the patient and family members how to give a shot...............my goodness.

My husband had to learn how to give me my shots during our 4 IVF attempts(he HATES needles). When he wasn't home I gave them to myself.

0 Votes
Well, thanks everyone for your input.

Here's what I did. Just before I left for work, I called my neighbor. She wasn't home but gramma was. I told her that I was sorry, but for legal reasons I limit myself to only life threatening emergencies as far as giving shots outside of the work environment. She was pretty understanding, and said she hadn't ever thought of that before.

Three things had bothered me. One was the potential (although slim) for complications that I could later be held liable for.

The second one is that we know many of the people in our little village. I didn't want word to get out that I would do this or any other injections for other people. I know from experience how easy it is for people to assume I will meet their medical needs if I don't put my foot down. I don't mind checking a bp occasionally, but I definitly do not want to be doing invasive proceedures.

Third, I just had a real bad feeling about it. Usually when I feel this uncomfortable about something, it turns out that I should go by my gut feeling. So, I just breathed a little prayer that my neighbor wouldn't get too bent out of shape and said no.

I'm glad I asked here, too. At least I know I am not the only one who feels uncomfortable about this sort of thing. Thanks for sharing all of your feelings about this.

White Shoes

you di dwhat was right for you and you have a good neighbor that they understood. your explanation was also excellent - as i am in a small rural area also may i use that quote - i do not mind helpoing but would like to keep it to emergency and close close friends - it gets so annoyng getting calls " what do you think about these signs and symptoms ( when ya cant even see em over the phone) or can you do this for grandma etc - some fokks get so offended like i dont care - i DO care but heck i gota life too. :) hugs

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment